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Voodoo Man
USA 1944
produced by Sam Katzman for Monogram (Banner Productions)
directed by William Beaudine
starring Bela Lugosi, John Carradine, George Zucco, Wanda McKay, Louise Currie, Tod Andrews (as Michael Ames), Ellen Hall, Terry Walker, Mary Currier, Claire James, Henry Hall, Dan White, Pat McKee, Mici Goty, John Ince, Ralph Littlefield, Dorothy Bailer, Ethelreda Leopold, George Eldredge
written by Robert Charles, musical director: Edward J.Kay
review by Mike Haberfelner
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Related stuff you might want!!!(commissions earned) |
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When travelling to the wedding of Ralph (Tod Andrews) and Betty (Wanda
McKay), Stella (Louise Currie) is kidnapped by the goons of Doctor Marlow
(Bela Lugosi), as have three girls before her, to give the Doctor's wife
(Ellen Hall), who has died 22 years ago - but still walks around in a
trance occasionally (!?) - much-needed lifeforce with the help of
voodoo-priest Nicholas (George Zucco). Betty and Ralph are understandably
worried when Stella doesn't show up, and pick up investigations with the
local Sheriff (Henry Hall). Eventually, the Sheriff even follows Stella's
trail to Doc Marlow's house, but Marlow charms his way out of the
situation and comes out above suspicion ...
Then though, Marlow's clumsy assistant Toby (John Carradine) lets
Stella, who is now in a deeply tranced state, escape, and eventually she
is brought to Ralph and Betty ... but neither they nor the Sheriff can do
anything to awake her from her trance-like state ... when Dr Marlow shows
up and offers his assistance - and everyone is gullible enough to think
nothing of it ... and the next day, Stella is gone again, called back to
Marlow by voodoo ...
Ralph and Betty pay a visit to Marlow, who once again is the perfect
host, and they are not in the least bit suspicious - until they see his
wife Marlow just has assured them has been dead for 22 years sleepwalking
(or deadwalking) through the room. Mighty peculiar if you ask me !
Marlow meanwhile has found Betty to be the perfect lifeforce donor for
his wife and soon enough calls her to him once more using voodoo. Then he
submits her to his lifeforce-transference ritual, but by that time, Ralph
and the Sheriff have grown wise to him, enter his place by force and
ultimately shoot him. With Marlow dead, all the girls, including Betty and
Stella, awaken from their trancelike state and everything's fine as dandy
again ...
Like most Monogram shockers, this film suffers from a terrible
script and a largely unimaginative direction (to be fair, the film has a
few creepy moments like when the deceased Mrs Marlow comes down the
stairway to everybody's surprise and shock). However, like most Monogram
shockers, this one is at the same time a trashy gem for bad movie lovers
like me. However, if you're not into bad movies, don't even bother to
watch it !!!
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